the goan I network
VASCO
The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) and Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) have slammed the State government for banning fish from neighbouring states, while failing to take action against the mafia which is controlling the fish business in the State.
NFF and GRE have demanded that the wholesale market in Goa should be controlled by the fisheries department and not by the fish agents.
The two bodies have also demanded that the government should compensate all fish retailers and traditional fisherwoman for their losses due to fish ban, while also demanding action against the FDA director for conflicting statements.
“On what basis was the fish import ban imposed, if the government officially claims it had found no formalin mixed in fish entering Goa,” asked GRE General Secreatary Olencio Simoes, while speaking to reporters in Vasco.
“Other states had banned fish only after ascertaining the presence of formalin in the fish. However, not a single fish mixed with formalin was seized,” said Simoes.
“By banning fish from neighbouring states, the government has made it clear that the fish is adulterated with formalin or formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent.”
“The government should, instead, take action against those few agents with political patronage, who buy fish at dirt cheap prices from the poor and hardworking fishermen and sell the fish at maximum profits.”
“The ban on fish imports will only create further panic among customers and will deprive retailers and traditional fisherwoman from doing legitimate business,” Simoes added.
